Written by members Errol Brown and Tony Wilson and produced by Mickie Most, the song discusses an interracial love affair between a white man and a black woman, and the subsequent rejection of both by their parents because of it.

"Brother Louie" was covered by the American band Stories (featuring singer Ian Lloyd) about six months after Hot Chocolate's UK hit.

The Stories version reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and sold a million-plus copies to earn a gold disc.

Another cover was released in 1973 by Roy Ayers on his album Virgo Red, playing vibes instead of singing.

The Stories recording is used as walk-up music by New York Mets baseball player Luis Guillorme.